Flourishing in Peace with Holiness

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14 NKJV)

    We need to make every effort to live in peace and to be peaceable (Romans 12:18), but it should never come at the expense of our holiness; without holiness we will not see the Lord.

    Holiness means to be set apart, sacred. It means that we speak/behave less like the world and speak/behave more like the Lord: in love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 John 4:7-11, 17), in purity (1 John 3:1-3), and in holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16)  

• We need to be kind without becoming soft toward sin.
• We need to be loving without disregarding or watering down God’s truth.
• We need to be just without lacking in mercy and compassion.

    Jesus exemplified all these qualities for us. He maintained His holiness while teaching and admonishing people. He loved people so much that He couldn’t bear to let them remain unknowledgeable about God and His goodness. He pointed people toward the One source from which they could obtain true peace. He, with love, corrected them, guided them, and taught them.

    “Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:14-15) will go a long way in helping others know God and it will help us to grow up in Jesus! There are so many man made doctrines, and “the trickery of men” is all around us, leading unknowledgeable people astray – they seek peace but cannot find it in ever-changing/constantly-adapting doctrines – but with God there is TRUE PEACE, because with God we find the Truth that has never and will never change (1 Peter 1:22-25), allowing us to know without doubt how to be holy and acceptable Him and how to remain holy and acceptable to Him (read and consider Romans 12:1-2)!

    Think on these things and consider these verses today:

“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20 NKJV)

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV)

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jude 20-23 NKJV)

Side note: God is serious when it comes to warning the wicked and erring – He has always “rose early” to tell His children the truth and give warning (Jeremiah 7:13, 25, 25:4), sending His prophets to inform even the pagan nations to repent before it is too late (see the book of Jonah). Please read and consider Ezekiel 3:18-21 to understand just how important it is to God that people are warned away from their wickedness and sin.

    If we choose “peace” with man by remaining silent about the Truth and not warning them, we will not be holy as God is holy, we will not be at peace with Him, and our hopes of seeing the Lord will be diminished, but if we choose to be in peace with Him, we will learn to speak the truth in love, proclaim the true peace that is available to all (the gospel message, Ephesians 6:15), we will maintain our holiness, and our hopes to see Him will flourish!  

    We know the glories of God, His goodness, and His grace! Let’s never compromise our love and appreciation for Him by calling wrong, right (or ‘okay’), for the sake of “peace.” God calls us to be holy – that is top priority. Peace comes through speaking the truth in love.

    Are you ready to do that? Are you willing to stand against the wiles of the devil and speak God’s truth without compromise?

You can do it! So can I!!